Dental Hygiene Degree Program (DHY)

(Selective)

Applications will be reviewed and candidates will be notified of the admissions decision by mail approximately 60 days after the deadline. The college reserves the right to return applications that are received after the posted deadline, without review.  Incomplete applications will not be considered for review.

Requirements for Consideration to DHY

All candidates must review the full application for admission which can be found by visiting: https://mwcc.edu/apply.

English Requirements

Competency may be met with completion of ENG 101 College Writing I, with a grade of C+ or better, at the time of application.

Math Proficiency

Competency may be met with completion of a math course equal to MAT 143 Statistics or higher (not MAT 140 Elements Of Mathematics I) with a grade of C+ or better. Or, the math requirement may be met through college placement testing.  Math placement testing is permitted for program acceptance; however, students may be required to complete MAT 143 Statistics or higher for degree completion.  Math requirement may not be older than ten years.

Science Requirements

BIO 203 Anatomy and Physiology I (formerly BIO 199) and BIO 204 Anatomy and Physiology II with grades of C+ or better, completed no more than ten years prior to the program's application deadline.

Applicants must submit the following to the Admissions Office

  • A completed selective admissions application (available through the Admissions Office) for the Dental Hygiene program.
  • Satisfaction of high school diploma or equivalency requirement as described in the college's general admissions requirements. If high school or equivalent was completed outside of the U.S. credentials must be evaluated for equivalency through an acceptable credential evaluating agency, such as Spantran - MWCC Pathway (offers discounted services), Center for Educational Documentation (CED) or World Education Services (WES). Additional agencies may be found www.naces.org.
  • Official college transcripts (if applicable) from all colleges other than MWCC.  Official transcripts are not required for courses completed at MWCC.  Transfer credits for education completed outside of the U.S. must be evaluated for equivalency through an acceptable credential evaluating agency, such as Spantran - MWCC Pathway (offers discounted services), Center for Educational Documentation (CED) or World Education Services (WES). Additional agencies may be found www.naces.org. Note: Transfer credits must be completed at an accredited college and official transcripts must be received thirty days prior to deadline for processing. Photocopies will not be reviewed or accepted. Transcripts that have not been processed for transfer credits will not be used in the ranking process.
  • Documentation demonstrating that all minimum requirements for consideration have been met.
  • Letters of recommendation are not required.

Special Program Requirements for DHY

Please note that the following information must be received before courses begin:

  • Complete physical health examination conducted within 2 years of the fall startup date by a licensed healthcare provider.
  • Immunization Requirements for Health Science Students: Two (2) doses Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or positive titre; two (2) doses MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine or positive titers; three (3) doses Hepatitis B vaccine AND Hepatitis B titer showing immunity to the disease; one (1) TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine within 10 years; one (1) dose Meningococcal vaccine (ages 16-21); annual Influenza vaccine; full COVID vaccination (either one dose or two doses depending on the manufacturer). Additional boosters may be required during the program duration; initial “2 step” PPD or Quantiferon Gold TB blood test or an annual TB testing (negative chest x-ray within 5 years AND annual TB Questionnaire also accepted). Contact the Health Services Office at 978-630-9136 for more information.
  • Liability insurance of $1,000,000/$3,000,000 coverage is required. Students will be covered under the college’s liability insurance policy, which will be billed through student fees.
  • All dental hygiene students must participate in the Massachusetts Community College Health Insurance Plan or provide accurate information regarding comparable coverage.
  • Current CPR Certification (Professional Rescuer or Healthcare Provider) is required. A certificate of completion must be presented to the health sciences department prior to entry into dental hygiene courses.
  • Students will be taking all program-specific coursework at the Fitchburg Campus. Some clinicals will be provided off campus at sites within the region; all students will be expected to complete clinical rotations on and off-site.
  • Clinical sites may require the student to obtain certain background checks (state/federal criminal or sexual offender), fingerprinting and/or drug testing before participating in the clinical experience.  Costs for these reviews will be the responsibility of the student.
  • Prior to the start of classes, students will be required to pay approximately $3,000 for uniforms and equipment.

Readmission Policy for DHY and DAC

Mount Wachusett Community College reserves the right to limit the number of readmissions each academic year. Readmission to the dental hygiene and dental assisting program is not guaranteed and is on a space-available basis. Readmission to the programs will require a one-time successful attempt at a readmission examination with a grade of 77 percent or higher. A student seeking readmission to the dental programs must follow the application procedure for new students. Students are limited to two admissions to a dental program. Emergency medical conditions will be considered on an individual basis and will require documentation from a physician. Admission to the dental programs is selective and the admissions committee reserves the right to deny readmission to any applicant. The respective programs reserve the right to refuse readmission based on, but not limited to, unprofessional behavior, unethical conduct, and client safety issues.

CORI/SORI Policy for DHY

(See the DHY application packet for more information)

Dental Hygiene students will be required to complete a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check consistent with current Commonwealth of Massachusetts law M.G.L. c. §§ 178C-178P. Record storage and usage will be in compliance with (M.G.L.c. 275 § 4). It must be understood that a conviction in a court of law may prevent a person’s eligibility from being placed in a clinical agency. This then will not allow successful completion of the Dental Hygiene program. In addition, it will delay and may prohibit eligibility to take the Dental Hygiene Board Licensing Exam.

Please contact the MWCC Office of Admissions at 978-630-9447 or at admissions@mwcc.mass.edu for more information, to obtain an application, or to attend an information session for this program.